Rain Barrel Workshop Schedule for Hampton Roads, Virginia

Now is the perfect time for RAIN BARRELS! If you are interested in adding a rain barrel or two around your home to harvest rain water, please attend a rain barrel workshop. Rain barrels capture roof runoff, providing water for your gardens or lawn. They help control stormwater runoff, which causes erosion and degrades our streams.

To help you find a convenient place to make your rain barrel, HR STORM maintains a schedule of rain barrel workshops in Hampton Roads.

HAMPTON ROADS LOCALITIES INSTALL THOUSANDS OF STORM DRAIN MARKERS

“What is that blue circle on the catch basin?”

This is the response HR Storm is hoping to hear from citizens who spot the metal stormwater markers. The markers read, "No dumping, Drains to Waterway." In conjunction with the Department of Environmental Quality permit requirements to educate the public about stormwater pollution, several Hampton Roads, Virginia localities purchased 5,000 medallions to place in their respective municipalities.
 

RAIN WATER CISTERNS PART OF "GREEN" SCHOOL DESIGN FOR REDUCING STORMWATER RUNOFF

The City of Virginia Beach is building a new school and incorporating environmentally friendly designs. The roof slants to collect rain and funnel it into 50,000 gallon cisterns. The water will be used to flush toilets and is expected to conserve one million gallons of water per year. Cisterns also reduce stormwater runoff.

More green design plans are included in the WVEC It's Our Watch video report, "'Green' schools in Virginia Beach," and the online article, "Zero energy schools is ultimate goal for Va. Beach Schools."

To collect rain water on a smaller scale consider installing a rain barrel.

Watch the video below to learn more about rain barrels.